#ClassicsaDay #ClassicalHoliday Week 2 2023

A holiday tradition (of sorts) returns! Since 2017, the #ClassicsaDay team has made holiday music the December theme. The music shared doesn't necessarily have to be related to Christmas. It can be any classical work associated with either the sacred or secular activities of December (or even just weather).

The challenge is to post video performances of the works that fit the theme in your social media channels. As always, I tried to share selections I haven't used before. Here are my picks for the first week of #ClassicalHoliday.

12/11/23 Thomas de Hartmann: Koliadky, Noëls Ukrainiens

De Hartmann wrote an orchestral suite based on the traditional Christmas carols sung by Ukranians. He completed the work in 1940.

 

12/12/23 Juan García de Zéspedes: Convidando está la noche

Mexican composer Zéspedes started his career at the Puebla Cathedra as a boy soprano. He would eventually become its choirmaster. He continually blended folk elements with traditional Baroque styles.

 

12/13/23 Giuseppe Torelli: Concerto a Quattro Per Il Santissimo Natale Op. 8 no. 6

Torelli published a set of 12 Christmas Concertos in 1709. These were a subgenre of the sonata da chiesa that were only performed during December church services.

 

12/14/23 Eric Whitacre: The Chelsea Carol

Whitacre is one of the most-performed choral composers in the world today. The Chelsea Carol was commissioned for the 75th anniversary of Southern College's Lessons and Carols service.

 

12/15/23 John Rutter: Angel's Carol

As a young man, Rutter worked on David Willcocks' five volumes of "Carols for Choirs." He learned a lot. A significant part of his output is choral Christmas music.